New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-17

has been preserved In the of a speech at a
soldiers meeting In New-JeSey last week, he ro-
marked incidentally that he had 1ourneycd recently
from the Columbia River to New-England, meeting
veterans Of the war everywhere and the only flag
they seemed to about the Stars and Stripes
1t Is asserted that during the past year General Black
has been absent from Washington more than half
of the time, and members Of his own party do say
no has devoted small part of his energies
tho nursing Of his boomlet7 for tho VcePresidncy.
His frequent pigrfmages and the accounts Of them
which he gets into the newspapers cause great deal
of sarcastic comment among. Democrats of his own
state. General" sparks watches his performances
with green eyes and talks about them with bitter
tongue 1 fear that Sparks is jealous. Then there
is the Stevenson, whose clean sweep In tho
fourth class post offices has won the admiration Of
"ohline Democrats" every where, and caused some
murmuring among tho ever faithful Mugwump sup
porters Of the Administration Stevenson thinks that
Black is not modest enough and II it should be found
necessary he might use his influence among the post
masters and their friends In behalf of Vtas Colonel
Morrison must not be forgotten. He Is not
envious man, but 1 have heard Ut his intimate
friends recently speak Of Black professional SCI
der" who visits Grand Army posts and gets his friends
to organize "ovations' among the veterans for his
political benefit. One of these men said Black
seems to regard himself about the only simon pure
Democratic soldier extant and as tie one man in tho
served, however, that Grand Army men do not figure
conspicuousIy In Democratic National Conventions
Perhaps Black forgpts that he must get votes In the
convention order to be- In situation ~ solicit them
as q candidate for the yice-Presdency."
But General Black Is uneasy whenever no reads q
comment his absence from his post Of duty. Two
three days ago no called In the assistance Of Of
his deputies Colonel Mclean, to break the force OF
such comments. The Colonel described the broad
field within the scope Of the duties Ut tho Commits
sioner of Pensions" and then went on to say His
absences attending the National Encampment Of tho
Grand Army Of the Republic at San Francisco, ansn
soldier reunions elsewhere, all occurring during tho
past year. regard strictly In his line Of duty a.
Commissioner of Pensions. know Of no better way
for tho head Of tho Pension Bureau to ascertain the
needs of the soldier element Of the country than by
mixing with them at these reunions, taking counsel
with them and know that this Is the sentiment Of
the soldiers with whom have conversed upon this
subject He receives moro Invitations to attend re-
unions Of this character, satisfied than any other
man I'm the country and 10 decline respond to these
invitations, when able ~ do so, would be betrayfng
want interest in tho general welfare Of the soIern
happen TO know that great pains were taken to
have Colonel McLeans statement published as widely
as practicable. This certainly IL q novel view of tho
duties and responsibilities Of executive officer Of
the Government But then Black Is novel kind Of
executive officer.